San Francisco 49ers cut running back Joe Williams

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the team would begin to notify players that will be cut on Friday after the team finished their 2018 preseason campaign Thursday night.

According Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the first casualty is 49ers running back and 2017 fourth-round draft pick, Joe Williams.

Williams missed the entirety of the 2017 season as the Utah product was placed in injury reserve with an injured ankle. Making his return in training camp this year, Williams did little to impress ultimately resulting in being waived.

In two exhibition games in August, Williams netted only 45 yards on 19 carries (2.3 yards per carry). Not to mention, a fractured rib sustained against Houston prevented Williams from playing against Indianapolis in Week 3 or Los Angeles in the 49ers preseason closer.

Making matters worse for Williams was the fact that San Francisco signed former Redskins and Cowboys ball carrier Alfred Morris three weeks ago.

The move tightened up the race for the third or fourth roster spots at running back while also displacing Williams on the depth chart.

Morris had a highly productive debut against the Colts last Saturday, essentially solidifying Williams’’ fate.

The 49ers will have a chance to reclaim Williams as a member of the practice squad if the second-year back clears waivers.